THE REFORM PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 67, 6 August 1912, Page 4

THE REFORM PARTY.

A CONGRATULATORY RALLY. ENTHUSIASTIC PROCEEDINGS. THE GOVERNMENTS POLICY. By Telegraph-Press Association fn, m Wellington, Last Night. The Town Hu l wa, to over fl ovv . ing to-day on the occasion of a congratulatory rally by the Reform Piutv supporters. Over three thousand wer'» present. Mr. 0. 11 Morrison presided All the Ministry were present, and had a great reception. Many members of Parliament and prominent citizens were on tho platform. ' Mr. Morrison said the Reform Party had come to stay. Mr. Massey bad already departed from the policy of "spoils. to tho victor'' by appointing an opponent to the High Commissionership. Dealing with the recent reform conference, he said there were no political adventurers. They were ail men with ilie interest of the Dominion at heart. Tho Hon. James Allen, Minister for Finance, said the Reform Party would give every man freedom of speech. As to the Hon. Mr. Massey, he (Mr. Allen) could speak as one who knew him- welJ, arid lie assured them they were safe in the hands of Mr. Massey. The Reform Government would try to put tho country's finances on a sound level and settle the land to the advantage of people generally. He advised them to value their enthusiasm, which went far in encouraging the party in power towards successful Government.

The Hon. W. H. Herries (Minister for Railways and: Native Affairs) said that when they were but a small band fifteen years.ago, they could not have half filled this hall. Mr. Masscy's Government had a hard task -before them to rectify the mistakes of the past Government, Their time in adversity had been grand -experience for them, having taught them th« value of organisation and co-operation. Although they were now on top they must not cease organising. > Mr. W. H. D. Bell, member for Wellington Suburbs, the youngest member of the party, said l , in a short speech, that he felt sure the Financial Statement tomorrow would' reveal that Mr. Masscy's policy was not a reactionary -one. At this stage the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister for Marine) was presented by his election committee with an iWumin-at-ed address -to mark his -elevation to the Cabinet. It was .stated that Mr. Fis'hpr was the first Wellington-.lvorn man to attain Cabinet rank. A handsome bouquet was presented to Mrs. Fisher. The Hon. Fisher, after returning thanks for the presentation, contrasted . the position now with 1905. When he held his first meeting five people turned up, and out of those five he could not get a chairman. It was a -source of pride to liim that he held to-day the same portfolios ns his late father did twentythree years ago. He (the speaker) had had some unpleasant tasks, -but his constituents had a-t the ' polls expressed their approval of his actions. The people, of the Dominion would see to-morrow night in the Budget no pronounced tfalling away from the platform enunciated last November. When Mr. Massey rose to speak the vast assemblage rose and cheered for some minutes, this being followed by the lusty singing of "For he's a jollygood fellow." 'Mr. Massey, having returned thanks, said he only -expected such ) a reception 1 , as Wellington had stuck to i the Reform Parity in adversity and they j surely would not desert the par.tv in their triumph. The recent Reform*coa- | ference had been epoch-making, being attended as it was -by dele-gates from ths Bay of Islands to the Bluff, Even tho native race had sent delegates. The country would ivow be governed for s,V" prople by the people for the benefit of the people. They would follov a st.raiglitfo'iv.' id course. Mr. Massev (i\l Unit the Fii.ancial Statement to-mor- )w night would not embrace the whole Opposition policy, but what was enunciated to-morrow would he ahered to. They '.proposed financial reform; reform of the Legislative Council; reform of the public service; .land reform, to provide for the pioneers of the backblochs; an<l reform of legislative methods. There would be economy of administration, but no parsimony. No civil servant would be worse off, hut many would be better off. To-morrow the Financial Statement would be the most important for 21 years. Lately the credit of the country had not been as good as it might have been, but the Reform Government would endeavor to restore thengood name by a policy of energetic development. The inflow of outside capita* would be encouraged by this course. Now Zealand would join with other nations of the Empiro in strengthening the bond of Imperial organisation, especially as regards the Imperial Navv and land defence. The time will yet come whe* England will call representatives of the Dominions to her councils. In conclusion, he said the Government trusted the people, and he asked them to trust the Government. (Lbud and prolonged applause.) The Hon. A. L. Herdinan (Minister 1 for Justice) said that the members of the Ministry were serious men who would not neglect their duties, and New Zealand would have a strong ba6ked instead of a vacillating Government.- ! Their responsibilities were heavy ones, but they, would not halt in their endeavor towork -for the good of the country. Dr. Newman, member for W«kiagbon East, after a humorous speech, proposed. That this meeting has confidence in the Government led by the Hon. W. F. Massey. This was carried unanimously by acclamation amidst much enthusiasm. The Hon. Massey briefly returned thanks, and a vote of -thanks to tlic. chairman terminated what was a most enthusiastic meeting. All the speakerswere most cordially received, Messrs. Massey, Allen, Hcrries and Fisher especially so.